EC to Begin Local Elections With Union Parishad Polls in November

The Election Commission is planning to begin the process of local government elections through holding the union parishad (UP) elections first in November instead of October.

Like previous times, the local government elections will be held in phases again this time. However, the exact dates for the elections are yet to be fixed, sources said.  Speaking on the matter, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said November, December, January and February are comparatively conducive times for holding the elections.

However, the election schedule will be fixed considering Durga Puja, Ramadan, public exams and annual exams. Although the EC had planned earlier to hold the elections in October, it is now considering November. The election schedule will be published 45 days before the polls, Masud added.Masud also hinted that the municipal elections might be held alongside the UP elections, saying that no decision has been taken on this matter yet.

Earlier on 9 July, the EC had asked for a list of local government institutions suitable for holding the elections from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD).

According to EC, the country now has 13 city corporations, 4,573 union parishads, 326 municipalities, 500 upazilas and 61 zila parishads except the three hill districts.